historical overview
DESCRIPTION
Historical Overview. Two or more persons engaged in unlawful enterprise are jointly and severally liable. No apportionment allowed unless factual basis for doing so: examples Successive injuries to different body parts. Second injury as direct consequence of first injury. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Historical Overview• Two or more persons engaged in unlawful
enterprise are jointly and severally liable.• No apportionment allowed unless factual
basis for doing so: examples–Successive injuries to different body
parts.–Second injury as direct consequence of
first injury.
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Comparative Fault RSA 507:7-d
• Reduced by percentage attributable to plaintiff up to 50%.
• Fault of defendants is aggregated.
• Plaintiff is barred recovery if 51% at fault.
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Apportionment of Damages
• If “party” is less than 50% at fault, then liability is several NOT joint. RSA 507:7-e I(b)
• Purpose: Protection of minimally at fault defendants.
• “Party” refers to defendants, not plaintiff.
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However:
• Knowingly and actively pursue a common plan or design then joint and several liability.
• Pollution containment and cleanup- joint and several liability.
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Contribution 507:7-f; 7-g; 7-h
• Right of contribution exists between two or more persons who are jointly and severally liable for some indivisible harm.
• No contribution available to person who settles a claim unless settlement extinguishes the liability of person from whom contribution is sought. – Only to extent amount paid was reasonable.
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No right of contribution exists against:
• At fault plaintiff• Person immune from liability
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Enforcement of Contribution
• On motion in the same action.• By separate action.• No judgment needs to rendered
against party seeking contribution.
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Contribution S.O.L.
• Judgment rendered:–1 year from final judgment
• Judgment not rendered:–1 year from settlement (settlement
must be within underlying statute of limitations)
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Effect of Release
• Common law – presumption that settled entire case, all defendants.
• RSA 507:7-b – release for one tortfeasor not presumed to release all tortfeasors.
• Release or covenant not to sue given to a defendant in GOOD FAITH (reasonable payment) discharges that party from contribution action.
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Judicial Procedure
• Usually special verdict.• Court calculates proportionate
shares.• If joint and severally liable, subject to
reduction for amount paid by codefendant’s settlement.
• 60 days – reapportionment – 50/50 only.
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Resolution of Claims for Contribution
• AAA by agreement.• Court of competent
jurisdiction.• Plaintiff’s veto.
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The Nilsson Case• Nilsson vs. Bierman
–Facts– Issues - To which “parties” does
apportionment apply?• Settling party? Yes.• Parties not sued?• Employers?• Immune parties?
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How does the credit apply?
• Pro tanto credit only given to defendants who are jointly and severally liable.
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Indemnification
• Contribution vs. Indemnity–Contribution – pay proportionate
share.–Indemnity – looking for full
reimbursement.
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Indemnity by Contract
• NH allows contracts which indemnify losses arising out of the indemnities' own negligence.–Must be very clearly expressed.–Construed narrowly.
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Indemnity by Operation of Law
A. Where one without fault on his part has been compelled by a legal obligation to pay an injured party for damages caused by fault of another.
• Example:– Respondent superior– Owner/independent pays for neglect of others– Manufacturer/supplier/component manufacturer
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B. Extremely Limited.
C.One seeking indemnity must be free from fault.
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The End